The survey titled, "What do you know about child life specialists?", revealed some interesting insight about the public's perception of CCLSs. 

• 93% believe that hospitals CANNOT hire someone and train them as a child life specialist, even without qualifications. Unfortunately, hospitals CAN hire someone to be a child life specialist even without a degree, clinical training, or certification. 
• 68% believe CCLSs are regulated by their state, ensuring they practice only within their scope. Unfortunately, currently NO states regulate CCLSs.
• 93% are most comfortable with child life specialists who are eligible or already passed the certification exam. But people can work as child life specialists without even being eligible for certification-and the public wouldn't know.
• 82% are most confident with LICENSED healthcare professionals. CCLSs are NOT LICENSED.

These responses confirmed our theories: The public FALSELY BELIEVES their state is looking out for them, regulating child life specialists so:

1. Hospitals can't hire and train anyone to be a child life specialist, even without qualifications
2. Child life specialists have state oversight by law follow established scope of practice regulations
3. All working child life specialists have met all qualifications and are eligible for/already certified
4. They trust that healthcare their family receives, is provided by licensed professional

What does this mean? It means the public should be able to trust that their CCLS: is trained, qualified, and fully vetted, abides by state laws regarding their practice, and that CCLSs should be licensed. 

You can help by continuing to share our petition. We need your help to secure licensure for Texas CCLSs now!